Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown blasts Liberals over Green Energy Act

As new renewable wind and solar energy projects spring up in Kingston, Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown says the Green Energy Act is only "photo-op environmentalism" on the part of the current Liberal government, leaving Ontario taxpayers with the big bill.

According to Brown, Ontario is paying 10 to 20 times more than the value of energy due to the Green Energy Act, which was introduced by the McGuinty government in 2009 to provide incentives for renewable energy sources.

"If you tell me something that can tangibly improve the environment, then I’m all for it," Brown said.

"But the approach this government takes is not concrete actions, it’s for show."

Electricity created at nuclear power plants costs 5.6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while wind energy costs 13.5 cents per kWh and solar energy 50 cents per kWh. When the Green Energy Act was originally introduced, solar energy was priced as high as 80 cents per kWh.

Brown, who was in Kingston addressing the local riding association on Friday, claims that clean energy will have no benefit for Kingston as energy bills under the current government will rise by 42%.

However, Kingston has been taking advantage of the provincial Green Energy Act. In 2012, city council passed a resolution offering support in principle for rooftop-mounted solar applications in the city.

Kingston Solar has been working on a $300 million, 100-megawatt solar panel project since 2014. The project, headed by Samsung Renewable Energy, spans 1,000 acres in Loyalist Township and northwest Kingston.

Other projects in the area that have recently been discussed are a 150-turbine wind energy project in North Frontenac Township as well as another solar panel project in the now-closed Kingston East Landfill.

Brown mentioned the Napanee Goodyear tire manufacturing plant as an example of the negative effects of the Green Energy Act. Earlier this year, the plant was rumoured to have been one of the locations the company wished to expand. However, the company decided instead to open a plant in Mexico.

"How do you get business when you have energy prices that are not competitive?" Brown asked.

The privatization of Hydro One is another example of the government’s mismanagement in the energy sector, Brown said.

"It’s like selling your house without knowing what the price of offers are and what you’re accepting."

Brown’s message is clear. According to him, the current Liberal government has failed Ontario. He wants to take the province back, one riding at a time.

"There’s a proud conservative legacy in Kingston and I want to work with local conservatives to make sure we retake that seat."

Along with energy mismanagement, Brown took aim at the Liberals’ labour negotiations, calling it "a political game" with the teachers union.

"The Liberals promised calm, peace in the classroom when they came to office and we’re seeing chaos."

As for recent issues in the media, Brown said he is glad to discuss revisions to how police carding is undertaken in Ontario. While he recognizes carding can be seen as racial profiling, he said there needs to be consideration for public safety.

"Public safety is an important consideration, but in Ontario we have no place for racial discrimination."